By Ronica Shannon
Register News Writer
BEREA —
The World Equestrian Games may be in Lexington in September, but Berea is bringing the love of horses to town beginning later this month.
“The Horse: Interpretations by Kentucky Artisans” will be on display Aug. 28 through Feb. 26 at the Berea Artisan Center at 975 Walnut Meadow Road just off Interstate 75 Exit 77. A reception to meet the featured artists will be Sunday, Aug. 29, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The art exhibit is being hosted in correlation with the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games that will take place in Lexington from Sept. 25 through Oct. 10.
The games feature events in dressage, eventing, driving, jumping, vaulting, reining and endurance.
“This exhibition showcases how Kentucky Artisans interpret this amazing animal using their respective mediums and includes works in both two and three dimensional formats by 37 Kentucky artisans,” said Gwen Heffner, information specialist for the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea.
Mediums include painting, photography, sculpture, hand-bound books, fiber, metal, wood and clay.
Several of the featured artists have experience in the horse industry.
John T. Berry, of Midway, who creates dramatically realistic oil paintings and drawings, has had a 16-year career as a professional trainer and show rider and Janet Bailey Burch of Crestwood, has been teaching, showing, training and judging horses for most of her adult life.
Among the sculptural works included are Lexington artist Julie Warren Conn’s white Colorado marble abstraction titled “Stalwart” and Owenton potter Greg Seigel has constructed horses in stoneware that are reminiscent of ancient renderings. A large Maple burl is used by Chris Ramsey, of Somerset, to portray a horse drinking water and Martha Puckett of Louisville, has sculpted horse-head stoppers for her pit-fired porcelain bourbon bottles.
“This exhibition has something for every horse lover to enjoy,” Heffner said.
Call 985-5448 or visit the center’s Website at www.kentuckyartisancenter.ky.gov for more information. Visit www.alltechfeigames.com for more information about the World Equestrian Games.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 624-6608.
